Free Edge of Tomorrow by Wolf Wootan Page B

conversation can’t hurt anything, can it?”
    “Just what kind of problems can this ‘Bob’
solve?” asked the President, still skeptical.
    “Well, we need to get your voice print into
our system for security reasons, so why don’t you chat with him and
ask him that question?”
    “Fine. What’s next?” asked the Chief
Executive, glancing at his watch.
    Mr. West picked up the Blue Phone and punched
the dial button. When a connection was made, a voice answered.
    “This is Bob.”
    “Hello, Bob, this is West. I’m going to put
the President on. He would like to speak with you.”
    Mr. West handed the phone to the
President.
    “Hello, Bob. Mr. West has been spinning an
unbelievable yarn about your extraordinary problem solving powers.
Is this entire thing a hoax?” wondered the President.
    “No, Mr. President, it is definitely not a
hoax. How many problems, and which ones, will get solved this way
is yet to be seen. This is an experiment on my part. All I ask of
you is to discuss your difficult problems with me from time to
time—only the ones which you can’t solve easily. Never give me
orders, or even suggestions. You should maintain absolute
deniability at all times. You will never know who I am, or whether
I was instrumental in solving a problem, or whether the problem
merely solved itself. But sometimes, wishing a problem would go
away works.”
    “My, my, Bob. Very strange indeed. By the
way, do you have my voice print yet?” asked the President.
    “Oh, yes, quite a good one. One other
security point. In the very unlikely case where you are being
forced to talk to me by someone else, which means your voice print
would pass, simply say ‘Robert’ instead of ‘Bob’ somewhere in the
conversation. That will let me know about the situation. I can then
take the appropriate measures,” Bob responded seriously.
    “I suppose if that happened you would notify
the Secret Service,” stated the President.
    “If I thought it appropriate, but probably
not. At that point I would not know who was holding you hostage. It
could be a rogue Secret Service individual, or group. Just suffice
it to say that I would do everything in my power to secure your
safe release,” Bob answered.
    “You have a devious mind, sir.”
    “I said such an event was highly unlikely. I
just wanted an override code for the voice print, just in case.
I’ve never been burned by being too cautious. I will leave you now.
Mr. West will complete your briefing, and then it is up to you. You
may decide to never call me. That’s your decision. Nice talking to
you, Mr. President.”
    The line went dead. The President looked at
the strange-looking phone, then put it on the desk. He looked at
Mr. West.
    “Just who is this Bob? You guys are big on
deniability. This isn’t a CIA thing is it?” he asked.
    “Definitely not CIA. I don’t know who Bob is,
sir. Of course, I could not tell you if I knew. I was hired to
deliver this message and the phone. Two last things,” replied West.
He took a small device out of his briefcase and handed it to the
President. “This is a silent pager. You can wear it all the time,
or only when you have an expectation that Bob may want to get in
touch with you. Or you may choose to never wear it. The last point
is this: when you leave the office of the Presidency, you
personally should pass these devices on to your successor, and give
him or her this briefing. Then you should call Bob and arrange for
a new voice print to be established. Well, I thank you for your
attention. I’ll be leaving now. You will never see me again. Any
questions should be directed to Bob.”
    After the strange Mr. West had gone, the man
in the Oval Office sat and thought for awhile. Then he took out his
key ring and opened a bottom drawer of his desk. He put the phone
and pager in the drawer, then locked it again. He had a meeting
with the DDI that afternoon, but decided he should not mention what
took place in this meeting, just in